La Roy d’Espagne

When I took over Le Roy d’Espagne in 2015, an idea was already turning over in my mind: to create a beer of our own.

Let’s be clear: we have neither a hop garden on the roof nor space to install a brewing unit. But the last thing I wanted was a simple “label” beer. My ambition was to design a truly identity-driven beer, with a soul, a story… our story.

I therefore needed to find a partner: a brewery strong enough to develop a quality product, while giving me genuine creative freedom.

That is how, thanks to a friend, I came to meet Alexandre Dumont of the Brasserie de Jandrain-Jandrenouille. It felt immediately right: recognised expertise, and strong local roots in Brabant Wallon.

We met at the brewery to exchange ideas, test my concepts against his experience… and above all to taste. A great deal of tasting 😊 But despite many tastings, we couldn’t quite define a clear direction.

I was absolutely set on being able to tell a story through this beer.

And then, through ongoing discussions (and tastings…), an idea began to take shape: what if we drew our inspiration directly from the façade of Le Roy d’Espagne?

Above the establishment stands the bust of Charles II, the last King of Spain. He is surrounded by a Moor and a Native American, symbols, at the time, of the Spanish conquests in America and the conflicts with the Ottoman Empire.

That is where the recipe found its meaning.

To represent the Moor, we chose to use buckwheat. To represent the Native American, we worked with three hops, including one American hop variety.

From this idea was born a unique recipe, crafted by four hands, combining historical symbolism and brewing creativity.

After the first brew, we let the beer rest for a month. I still remember that first tasting, full of anticipation.

In the glass: a golden colour, evoking the Spanish sun.
On the nose: citrus notes, reminiscent of southern flavours.
On the palate: a balanced, fresh and expressive beer.

A surprise completed this creation: the analysis of the first brew revealed a beer naturally low in gluten, something we had not anticipated.

Alexandre and I then adjusted the recipe slightly to achieve a clear goal: a gluten-free beer, confirmed from the second brew onwards.

The move to organic, with the third brew, felt like an obvious next step.

Today, La Roy d’Espagne is an organic, gluten-free beer at 6.5%, both easy to drink and expressive, faithful to its identity. A beer that makes no compromise on flavour or aroma.

I would like to warmly thank Alexandre for his attentiveness, his patience and his professionalism. Without him, this beer would never have come to life in the way it did.

More than a beer, La Roy d’Espagne is a story we share… glass after glass.

Cheers!